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[Electrocardiogram of the healthy premature infant]
M Gómez-Gómez1, J Martínez-Carbonell, H Ortíz-Campos
1Hospital de Ginecobstetricia del Centro Médico, La Raza, México, D.F.
Insights
This study tracked electrocardiograms (EKGs) in 30 healthy premature newborns, revealing typical EKG patterns reflecting cardiovascular adaptations in the first 30 days of life.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Cardiology
- Pediatric Electrocardiography
Background:
- Premature newborns undergo significant cardiovascular adaptations post-birth.
- Understanding typical electrocardiogram (EKG) findings in healthy premature infants is crucial for monitoring their development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the typical electrocardiogram (EKG) findings in healthy premature newborns.
- To observe EKG changes and trends during the first 30 days of life.
Main Methods:
- Electrocardiograms (EKGs) were recorded from 30 healthy premature newborns at multiple time points: 3, 8, 24, 48, 72 hours, 1 week, 15 days, and 30 days after birth.
- Key parameters analyzed included heart rate, QRS axis, QTc interval, and wave voltages.
Main Results:
- Mean heart rate was 135 +/- 10 beats/min in the first week, with elevations in the first three days.
- The QRS mean axis remained stable at +130 +/- 25 degrees.
- The QTc interval consistently exceeded 0.42 seconds, and T wave changes indicated hemodynamic adaptations.
Conclusions:
- Healthy premature newborns exhibit a characteristic electrocardiogram (EKG) pattern.
- These typical EKG findings reflect the normal cardiocirculatory adaptations occurring during early neonatal life.
Abstract:
At the Hospital de Ginecobstetricia del Centro Médico "La Raza", were taken EKG to 30 healthy premature newborn during a six month period. The first EKG was recorded 3 hours after birth, the second in 8 hours, the third in 24 h, the fourth in 48 h, the fifth in 72 hours, the sixth at the end of the first week, the seventh at the fifteen days and the eighth at 30 days after birth. The mean heart rate was 135 +/- 10 beats/min in the first week. There were heart rate elevation for the first three days after birth. The QRS mean axis were + 130 +/- 25 degrees, without changes during the study time. The QTc interval in all cases was higher than 0.42 sec. The voltage of waves R and S at right and left precordial leads were similar. At this gestational age the ventricular masses are equals. The T waves changes reflected hemodynamic changes. It is concluded what the healthy premature newborn had a typical EKG as a reflex to the cardiocirculatory adaptations.